Jefferson Park Alliance

Thanks to Kat Marriner, we have a new website for Jefferson Park!

 http://www.jeffersonparkalliance.org/

The site contains general information about the Jefferson Park Alliance, and about the Beacon Mountain Playground team. It also links back to this blog, where we will continue to post info about the latest news and upcoming activities of the Jefferson Park Alliance. Check it out, and let us know if you'd like to see more or different info on either site.

Thanks!

Antonia and the JPA

 

I recently spent an inspiring afternoon with Joyce Moty of Bradner Gardens Park. She took me through the park on a walking tour, telling me the history of how their many wonderful features came to be. Some examples if you’re not familiar: They have a windmill, large scale water feature/drainage swale, green buildings, community created art fences, solar roof panels, recycled tractor cum interactive play structure, and much more. I learned so much… like that their solar panels are so effective that they not only support their own power needs, they are an actual power generating station for Seattle City Light! She told me about the different grants they obtained and strategic partnerships they forged (tilth, master gardeners, UW design/build program, green power @ seattle city light, and many more) to bring their unique and idealistic vision to life.

As I listened to Joyce tell the story, I was struck by the parallels with our own community-led development on parks department land. I think that hearing about this on-going success story from one of the group’s co-chairs would be a shot of inspiration for our group. Joyce is a fan of Jefferson Park and the JPA mission, and has agreed to give our group a tour and talk.

Councilman David Della has recommended John Barber and Vera Ing for the two open Parks Board positions. Jim Anderson is no longer in the running. John Barber will come by Saturday at about 1 PM to meet with us after the work party. We don't have any info on Vera Ing yet.

E-mail from Richard Conlin:

Thank you for your message about the two new Parks Board members to be
appointed by the City Council. Councilmember David Della, as Chair of
the Parks, Education, Libraries, and Labor Committee, has reviewed the
resumes that have been submitted, interviewed candidates, and
recommended two nominees for Council consideration.

Councilmember Della is recommending John Barber and Vera Ing for the
positions. While there were many highly-qualified candidates, I agree
with Councilmember Della that these are two highly-qualified candidates,
with a diversity of experience, support from community members and
organizations, and passion for parks and open space. I look forward to
enthusiastically supporting their nominations.